C H A N G E T O M Y E M A I L A D D R E S S
Due to the massive number of spam emails that are sent to my rene@ducatimeccanica email address I have had to close that account. My new email address is below...
that's - renewaters - unfortunately you have to copy this by hand into your email, apparently its the only way I can stop the spammers, sorry for the inconvenience

2017 Rocky Mountain MotoGiro - Sue ”Fastest Woman”

OK technically only woman… but she did win the prize for fastest woman, and that made her the first woman to complete the two day event. The MotoGiro is comprised of a Day 1 330km endurance stage and Day 2 closed course mountain time trial. I didn’t get the motor in her 200 rebuilt in time for the event, so she rode the “175” instead. It was a fantastic time again, well organized, brilliant volunteers, great competitors, altogether too much fun. Next year she assures me she will be on her 200… but the little 175 replica made it through the mountains with flying colours so I was well pleased as prior to the event the furthest it had gone was 80km and that on the flat.

I was busy last winter and got several bikes finished both for Sue and I and a couple for other people. There was a '74 GT (below) that was a basket case restoration but huge fun to do as it was for the original owner who bought it new in 1975, wrecked it in '78, and then squirreled the bits away in his barn until bringing it to me. He had originally just asked me to rebuild the motor, but ended up bringing the whole bike. He rode it to Oregon the day after picking it up... not sure if that's a huge compliment or an indication of diminished faculties, but he made it with no problems, so there was much rejoycing... here... and there.

The 175 Sport replica (also below) was a project that sat in my shed for about 8 years after I'd sourced all the parts. Then last winter Sue decided she was going to ride her 200 in the 2016 Rocky Mountain Moto Giro so I was inspired to finish (OK start) mine. I'm very happy with the way it turned out considering I started out with a much unloved 160 Monza Jr.
The '72 750GT (even more below) got a complete motor overhaul, electronic ignition, dual disc conversion, RaceTech suspension upgrades, and, and, and... so it was a busy winter... and spring... and most of the summer... but it was worth it!

Although there were some days when it was hard to find any room...

Sue and I did manage to find some time to get away with a friend of ours. We looked like the local chapter of the 900 club wherever we stayed for the night. Three bevel Ducatis on the road together turn some heads :-)

I am accepting a limited number of restoration, repair, and custom build projects... please feel free to email me or call 403.526.6516 (outside North America add 00 + 1 + the number) and I will be happy to discuss your project with you.

1958 Ducati 175 Sport replica

1959 Ducati 200 SS/Elite - Sue's Moto Giro racer (unrestored)

1974 Ducati 750GT

A couple of before shots... the motor had been apart for over 10 years, and mice were living in the seat...

and after...

1972 Ducati 750GT

click images for more

The 2009 version of my yellow bike met an unfortunate end in October of 2011. The insurance company wrote-off the bike, which led to the DMV decommissioning the frame. As a result I had to build a new bike with a replacement frame and a lot of other bits too... here's the result... longer, lower, better looking and altogether more user friendly... note side-stand and all new for 2012... electric start. (Hey, I'm getting old.) You may recognize some of the salvaged parts from the old bike, but there were woefully few of them. I did however manage to save the colour :-)

Mdina Italia - Andrew Jones is a great guy, excellent to deal with. I have bought many parts from him, they are top quality, the service is fantastic, shipping is fast, and support is second to none... the website is good too. I highly recommend Mdina Italia.
Phone: 0845 680 9005
Fax: 0845 680 9007
E-mail:sales@mdinaitalia.co.uk

Made in Italy Motorcycles - John Fallon - John used to be Mdina Italia until he sold it to Andrew (above) and anyone who dealt with him then knows he's one of the best. Now he concentrates on finding fantastic Italian motorcycles for people... just check out his website
Phone: 01449 612900
Fax: 01449 612900
E-mail:john@madeinitalymotorcycles.com
or visit in person:
8C Stowmarket Business Park
Ernest Nunn Rd
Stowmarket
Suffolk IP14 2AH

OLD RACING SPARE PARTS - Italy, lots and lots of stuff... good luck persuading Mario to actually sell you any... or then getting them shipped... but when all else fails Mario has the parts... and then some.

Eurotrash Jambayala - Joe Carter in San Jose Clifornia, 150 Piercy Road
San Jose, CA 95138 - all kinds of bit and pieces for bevel twins and singles. I've purchsed various bits from him through eBay and been very happy -
sales@eurojamb.com

more good stuff

Cam timing for all bevel Ducati - Jim Pianetta and a racing friend meticulously compiled cam timings for bevel Ducatis.
Jordan Princic scanned it and made it up into a PDF file, around 4MB. Jim wanted to have it online so anyone could freely access the information. So here it is. Very useful stuff, and the result of much hard work and dedication. Thanks Jim, and Jordan.

Low cost replacement oil filters for 900s - Kawasaki filter - #16099-004 - or after market part # HIFLOFILTRO HF 123 - readily available and seals on the shaft, not on the washer and top cap - Phil Hitchcock

Chevy 4X4 Hub Socket - cheap tool that makes it easy to remove or tighten front sprocket nut on Ducati twins, you will have to file it a bit but they are a cheap alternative to the real tool, and available just about anywhere, if you're on the road when you need one.

DOT-5 SILICONE-based fluids react with natural-rubber seals to swell them
WHICH CAN CAUSE SEVERE PISTON RETRACTION PROBLEMS. There is no cure for
problems caused by DOT- 5 use other than complete seals replacement -
USE ONLY DOT-3/4 NON-SILICONE TYPE FLUIDS in your brembo components.

For best braking performance, they recommend changing brake fluid twice a year. If the machine is to be stored in a damp environment (over the winter,
say), they recommend installing fresh fluid before and after the storage
period. At minimum service levels, glycol brake fluids MUST be
completely changed at intervals not to exceed a period of 18 months.

Fork oil see owners manuals above for volumes for specific models. - Oil weight can and will vary with personal preference in terms of stiffness vs. ride comfort. Simply put lighter oils produce a softer ride, thicker increase stiffness. Thicker, heavier weight oil, increases dampening, slowing fork compression. Suspension travel is usually not changed, but the time it takes to move that distance is increased with thicker oils. Therefore heavier weight oils will reduce the tendency for the front end to dive under braking, but at the cost of ride comfort. You will feel the bumps. Personal choice thing. Typical fork oil weights are 5w - 25w. Many bikes including bevels (see owners manuals) are spec'd for ATF (transmission fluid) in the forks, generally accepted to be equivalent to 15w

some authentic Italian recipes

translations by Luca Guala

This was an idea of Luca's to share some authentic Italian recipes with some authentic Italian bike nuts. He's translating and sending me recipes that his girlfriend Antonia makes, Sue and I are trying them, and then posting them here. The ones we have tried so far are excellent, there are perks to doing this website.

I am presenting the recipes exactly as Luca sends them, try them just the way he describes, his English is great, and some of the subtle nuances in his translations are delightful, thank you so much Luca. What a great idea.

I take no responsibility for anything you might or might not do as result of information you find on or through this website... anything you do as a result of viewing this website is your responsibility and has explicitly not been advised, encouraged or recommended by me.